The Idaho volleyball program begins a new season under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Gonzalez starting Friday, as the Vandals will travel to compete in three matches at the Youngstown Tournament in Ohio Aug. 26-27. 

Match play will begin against Youngstown State at 10 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on Friday before a quick turnaround for game two versus Valparaiso at 2 p.m. PT. Idaho will finish out their first week of competition when they take on Delaware State on Saturday at 8 a.m. PT. 

HOW TO FOLLOW 
Idaho vs. Youngstown State // Aug. 26 at 10 a.m. PT
Watch: ESPN+ 
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

Idaho vs. Valparaiso // Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. PT
Watch: YouTube
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

Idaho vs. Delaware State // Aug. 27 at 8 a.m. PT
Watch: YouTube
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats

ABOUT IDAHO: The Vandals return five members from last year's roster, including four contributors that saw a significant amount of time on the court, with a combined 83 matches played. Fifth-year standout Allison Munday will look to guide a young group this season after leading the Vandals in kills (279), points(3.81) and kills per set (3.07), and service aces (35) in 2021. The opposite side features another key returner in Delaney Nicoll, who notched double-digit kills in 12 contests and was second on the team in kills (235), digs (196), kills (3.01) and points per set (3.42). Idaho will need to replace team leaders in blocks, assists and digs.  

The Vandals welcome in 13 new faces ahead of the 2022 season, after five seniors graduated in 2021. Idaho's newcomers feature 12 true freshmen and one transfer that travel from six different states and across the globe from Turkey.   

SCOUTING YOUNGSTOWN STATE: Youngstown State finished 6-23 overall and 3-15 in conference play last season, missing out on the conference tournament. Fifth-year head coach Aline Scott leads a veteran laden team with seven seniors or grad students and three transfers. YSU will return its starting setter, libero and top five attackers, including All-Horizon League outside hitter Paula Gursching, who led the league in kills per set (4.06) and points per set (4.70). Idaho and YSU will match up for the first time in the two programs' history Friday. 

SCOUTING VALPARAISO: Valpo was chosen to finish fifth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll after coming off one of its best seasons in program history a season ago. The Beacons went 26-10 overall (12-6 MVC), won 13 of their last 17 matches and received a runner-up finish at the National Invitational Volleyball Tournament. Valpo returns 12 student-athletes from 2021 and adds two transfers and three true freshmen to help make up for losing four players that combined to earn eight All-MVC honors throughout their careers. Friday will mark the first meeting between the two teams since 2006 when the Beacons came out victorious in five sets. 

SCOUTING DELAWARE STATE: Delaware State comes off a 26-5 record in 2021, while posting program highs for league wins (12), shutout wins (20) and longest win streak (16). The Hornets shared the 2021 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular season title and earned a berth to the conference tournament match final. Middle blocker Alondra Maldonado returns for Delaware State after earning All-MEAC First Team in 2021 and posting the second-best mark in the conference for kills per set at 3.15. Idaho and Delaware will meet for the first time come Saturday.

UP NEXT: The Vandals hit the road for a two-day tournament at Grand Canyon University next weekend (Sept. 2-3). Idaho will compete in three matches against GCU, Santa Clara and Wyoming. 
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho volleyball by visiting GoVandals.com or by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @IdahoVolleyball. 

Single game and season tickets can be purchased online at GoVandals.com/Tickets or by calling the box office at (208) 885-6466.

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